§ Sir P. PILDITCHasked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the Office of Works, in the year 1914, agreed to permit the use of land at Hampton for the construction thereon of a public 260W swimming bath at a rental of £2 2s. per annum, and to allow the diversion of the water which overflows from the Cardinal's river for a nominal charge of £1 1s. per annum; that, following upon such permission, the ratepayers of the district have expended a sum of about £1,600 on the construction of a swimming bath, and that the permission granted has since been withdrawn unless the ratepayers agree to pay the Commissioners a rental nearly two and a-half times as great, and to pay for the water to be used, which would otherwise run to waste, at a rate which is estimated to cost about £50 per annum, or nearly 48 times as much as was previously asked; and will he be willing to. reconsider this decision?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The local council, however, wished to raise the original conditions of 1914, and the First Commissioner considered that in the interest of the taxpayers generally he was justified in bringing the terms for the privilege, which is a very valuable one for the people of the locality, more into accord with present day values. The fact that surplus water from the Cardinal's river was not at one time revenue producing is no argument for foregoing revenue when such water is diverted to a practical use. In all the circumstances, the First Commissioner regrets that he is is unable to reconsider his deision, which was taken in the interests of taxpayers generally.